LED Power Supplies

APower Supply is a Constant Voltage (CV) power source used to convert and step down lineside, high voltage (120VAC) electricity to low voltage direct current (DC). If you're planning a project with strip lights or light sheets, plan to use a power supply.

ADriver is a Constant Current (CC) power source used to limit - or "step down" - the amount of electricity reaching a single luminaire. Where multiple luminaires can be run on a single power supply, LED 'drivers' are installed one to one with their luminaires. You'll be using these with our Recessed lights, Ultra-thins and others.

ATransformer is a general term used to refer to any device that increases or decreases voltage. This means that technically, both power supplies and drivers are transformers because they both work to decrease the line output. aspectLED carries 'Transformers' for landscape applications where stepping down from 120VAC to 12-15VAC is required. Note that these transformers are only compatible with devices marked as 'Low Volt AC'.

Most lighting systems installed today will require a power supply or driver for proper functioning. The only time you will not need a power supply/driver is if your system is powered by a battery source with native DC output.

Ensure the power supply voltage matches that of the installed lights. 12VDC is commonly used with a 12-volt battery for automotive/marine applications, while 24VDC is prevalent in indoor residential or commercial settings.

Use this simple equation:Watts per fixture x Number of lights installed = Z, then Z x 1.25 = Minimum size of power supply required.EXAMPLE: 9 Watts x 4 Fixtures = 36 Watts. 36 x 1.25 = 45. The minimum power supply needed for this circuit is a 45-watt Power supply.EXAMPLE 2: 16.4’ of N series Ultra-bright Strip (2.92 Watts per foot) 16.4 x 2.92 = 47.88. 47.88 x 1.25 = 59.86. The Minimum power supply size needed is a 60-Watt Power Supply.

Note: aspectLED recommends planning your lighting systems to run at 80% of the max operating output of your power supplies. This allows for unplanned system surges and extends the overall life of the LED diodes themselves.

Many LED lighting systems are designed with one Driver for each individual LED light in a 1:1 ratio. Strip light systems are wired a bit differently due to the spread of the lights over the length of the run. In each case, the number of power supplies needed will be based on the total wattage required to power the specific lights in your system.

Yes, you can! LED lighting systems can be dimmed on either the Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC) side of the systems. The direction you choose will depend on personal preferences, system goals, and design constraints.

AC-side Dimming: This is the most common approach for controlling the brightness of your lights. It is most like the existing electrical systems common to most homes and commercial buildings today. The ability to control the system via standard wall switches is the primary benefit of these systems. If this sounds like the approach for you, make sure to design your system with a dimmable light/fixture, and dimmable power supplies.

DC-Side Dimming: While less common today, dimming on the DC side of the system is growing in popularity. In contrast to permanently installed wall switches, DC-side dimming is more often controlled by handheld remotes or smartphone applications. These controllers and apps usually allow more control and customization options. If you are designing a system with RGB color tuning, CCT color tuning, or Addressable strip lights, you will need to plan for this type of dimming. Moreover, systems that dim on the DC side are generally more energy efficient.

While some LED power supplies must be hardwired, whether it is legal or not depends on your local electrical code. Please consult with local building inspectors for specifics relating to your project location.

To comply with local electrical code requirements, a junction box for your power supply may be necessary.

Most of our power supplies are rated IP65-67, so they can withstand being outdoors in protected and damp areas, but they should NEVER be submerged in water. Products rated IP20 are non-waterproof and should only be used in dry areas indoors.

A non-dimmable power supply is for systems that skip the dimming or dim on the low voltage (12-24VDC side. A dimmable power supply is designed for systems for line side dimming using an in-wall dimmer.

Yes, but it is important to consider the wattage and voltage. Consider wattage and voltage drop when choosing a power supply. For wattage, add up the wattage of each low voltage fixture, then add a 20% safety buffer. For example, 10 fixtures at 6 watts each total 72 watts with the buffer, so choose a power supply of 72 watts or more. Voltage drop is important when wiring in series or for long-distance wire runs. Most fixtures are wired in parallel, except strip lights, which can run a maximum of 32 feet due to voltage drop.

Drivers are designed to power only a single fixture—the one they were specifically made for. At aspectLED, all lighting fixtures that require a driver come with one included. In contrast, LED power supplies have much higher operating capacities and are less product-specific.